Representative image for an arrest.
Credit: iStock photo
Udupi: In a major drug bust, the Manipal police arrested two students for allegedly selling ganja from a high-rise apartment and seized narcotics worth over Rs 80,000.
The accused have been identified as Aryan C Thadani and Aryan Chagappa. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused are drug consumers and allegedly supplied drugs to students.
On September 18 at around 11 pm, Manipal Police Inspector Mahesh Prasad received information about drug peddling in a flat on the 17th floor of an apartment at Shivalli village, Udupi taluk. Acting swiftly, the police raided the flat and arrested Aryan C Thadani, seizing 2,105 grams of ganja worth Rs 60,000, a hookah set, a digital weighing scale, and an iPhone valued at Rs 75,000. A case was registered at Manipal Police Station under sections 8(c) and 20(b)(II)(b) of the NDPS Act.
During further investigation, police arrested Aryan Chagappa, in Mangaluru. From his scooter, officers recovered 627 grams of ganja worth Rs 20,000.
Police revealed that both were addicted to narcotic substances and are students of a reputed business management college in Manipal. They were allegedly supplying drugs to fellow students. The duo was produced before a court and remanded into judicial custody.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Udupi Sub-Division DySP Prabhu DT, led by Inspector Mahesh Prasad, with PSI Akshaykumari SN and Manipal police staff.
Strict action
SP Hariram Shankar said police in Udupi district have launched a strict crackdown on ganja consumption and peddling over the past 15 days, registering 23 cases and taking action against 28 persons.
Manipal Police Station recorded the highest number of cases with 14 registered and 16 accused arrested. Udupi Town Police Station registered 3 cases with 4 accused, while Kundapur Police registered 2 cases with 2 accused. Hebri, Kapu, Karkala Rural, and Padubidri police stations each registered one case, involving a total of 6 accused.
Authorities said that stringent and continuous measures will be taken against the consumption and distribution of ganja in Udupi district.